Bamdad Fotouhi

Bamdad Fotouhi, born in France in 1978, is a versatile musician with a deep passion for Iranian traditional music. Alongside his background in Civil Engineering, he has dedicated his life to mastering instruments like Tonbak, Daf, and Santour, accumulating over 20 years of experience in performing and teaching Tonbak and Daf. Bamdad is committed to preserving and promoting the rich musical heritage of Iran.

Bamdad has had the privilege of collaborating with prestigious ensembles and influential music masters such as Hossein Dehlavi, Hossein Alizadeh, Majid Derakhshani, Keivan Saket, Saeed Farajpouri, and Davoud Azad. Throughout his musical journey, since immigrating to Canada in 2013, he has continuously enriched his skills through various engagements, including orchestral performances, workshops, and volunteer events.
Since 2018, Bamdad has been an integral part of Ân Trio Ensemble as a percussion player, contributing his rhythmic creativity. The ensemble is dedicated to recording and performing artwork inspired by Iranian traditional music, while actively pursuing research and educational initiatives. Their valuable contributions have been recognized, including the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts Award for Explore and Create.

Currently, Bamdad is leading the development of a comprehensive project called ‘Lessons for Tonbak’ since 2021. The project aims to create a user-friendly and extensive educational methodology for playing the Tonbak, incorporating thorough research into the historical teaching and training methods of the instrument. The focus is on preserving and promoting traditional Iranian drumming techniques and styles, while adapting them to modern contexts. Bamdad actively teaches Tonbak and Daf in Toronto and the surrounding area. His exceptional musical performances have garnered appreciation from Members of Parliament for his contributions.